Is Intercountry Adoption Right for You?
While intercountry adoption has many rewards, there are a range of issues that prospective adoptive parents need to consider before deciding to adopt a child from overseas. The authorities in your State and Territory can discuss these issues with you. Intercountry adoption support organisations also exist in each State and Territory and can provide information and support on a range of issues that applicants may face in the intercountry adoption process.
Prospective adoptive parents should consider a number of broad themes prior to making a decision to adopt a child from overseas. This includes a thorough understanding of:
- grief and loss
- attachment and bonding
- openness in adoption
- development of cultural/racial identity, and
- racism and discrimination.
There are no guarantees that applying to adopt a child will result in a child being placed with you. Prospective parents should consider the financial and emotional pressures that can be associated with raising a child adopted from overseas. Families can find the process of intercountry adoption a challenging and anxious one.
Children may have experienced significant trauma in their country of birth. Some children may find it difficult to adjust to a new family and country. Others, especially older children, may have physical and mental disabilities, significant developmental delays, or other special needs. These factors can mean that additional medical help and resources may be needed to raise an adopted child. In addition, there is often limited knowledge of a child’s medical background.
Many adopted children will also face issues about their identity as they grow up. This may prove difficult for the child, the parents and their extended families.
Despite these challenges, adoption can be a rewarding and joyous experience and there are many adoption support organisations that volunteer their time to support those on the adoption journey.
Further information about intercountry adoption is available from State and Territory Authorities and Intercountry Adoption Support Organisations. See Contact Information for details.
Foster Care and Permanent Care
Intercountry and domestic (local) adoption provide permanent families for children unable to remain with their biological families, but adoption is just one of a range of options used to provide on-going care for children in need of families.
Long-term foster care and/or permanent care are an important part of the provision of services for children and young people unable to remain with their biological families. For people looking to open their home to a child/ren, foster care and permanent care are alternative options to consider.
For further information about long-term foster care and/or permanent care programs please contact your State or Territory government department responsible for the care and protection of children. A number of Australian non-government organisations are also accredited to provide long term foster care programs and offer information to families and individuals about these options.
Please see the links below for further information regarding foster and permanent care in your State or Territory:
- New South Wales Department of Community Services
- Victorian Department of Human Services
- Western Australia Department of Child Protection
- Queensland Department of Child Safety
- South Australian Department of Families and Communities
- Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services
- Office for Children, Youth and Family Support, Disability, Housing and Community Services, Australian Capital Territory
- Northern Territory Family and Children’s Services